The Breckenridges

While Bella and Josh visited Kenedy during our Hurricane Ike adventure, they attended the annual Lonesome Dove Fest in Karnes County. It is one of the major events that Mom helps organize every year in her role as Karnes County Chamber of Commerce director. They have many exhibits and one of them this year was Riding Longhorns. She actually got on it long enough for a picture to be taken!! We are so proud of her courage. Big animals and Bella usually don't go together, but she is growing up and learning the safe way to be around four-legged creatures that we ride. I can definitely say I have never ridden a Longhorn! Go bella!

Hello, everyone! Sorry it has been a while since I have posted. Life lately has been pretty crazy. Hurricane Ike swept through and in a matter of hours wrecked havoc on most of Texas. Our little house was in the middle of it all. I worked hard at the hospital through the storm, then we evacuated to Gatesville because we had no water or electricity. It was way too hot for Bella to stay at the lake house. I had to return to work today for the computer documentation training that we missed b/c of Ike. On Sunday, I have to work my first 12-hour shift as a nurse (in training, of course.) A bit apprehensive about it but I think that it will all work out. Just got word that the electricity is back on at my house, but with the shortage of gas in the area and my family far away, I am staying with a friend from work. We came out to her mom's house for tonight. The live on the other side of Lake Livingston in Coldsprings. It is beautiful here, with a nice breeze. The best part is that they have hummingbird feeders up all around the porch and lots of those little birds buzzing about. The hummingbirds definitely brightened my spirit and, as always, reassure me of the beautiful things in life I am so grateful for. Yes, hummers are still my most favorite things in the world. That's all for now. Until next time...

Hello, all! Just an update on what is happening in this neck of the woods. We have a bit of a storm headed this way, but Livingston is just going to get some high winds and a bit of rain. Josh and Isabella are going to hold down the fort here at the lake house. However, Conroe Regional (where I work) will be going on disaster lock-down tomorrow afternoon, in which I will have to sit out the hurricane from the hospital. They have already started filling Conroe Regional with critical care patients transferred in from all over the region, so they are going to need every extra hand available. Fun stuff for my first week, huh? I will actually be filling the role of a nurse technician during the hurricane because of my limited experience and unfamiliarity with the computer system. Though, I will be glad to have this experience, learning so much. So please pray that all will be safe and make it through the hurricane. We'll be on the outside edge and do not expect any lasting damage. Another adventure! Love to all and take care! I will write more as I can. ~hj

This was a picture that was taken at my graduation party, held at Jerry B's Restaurant (where I used to work). They have a giant swing in the back in a nice little grove of trees, which was lit up with hundreds of twinkle light. Bella always loved to go out there, and this is her approach of the giant swing. The rope made into the swing is from an offshore oil rig something-or-other, but was too shirt for their use so they gave it to Jerry B's and Mr. Alan (the owner) made a swing big enough for three people. Just thought it was a cool picture of my baby.

A beautiful evening! So calm and such soothing colors...

I am so excited!! The start date for the job I have been waiting so long for at Conroe Regional is finally here. As much as I have enjoyed my summer vacation, I am so ready to start work. I just hope I haven't forgot everything! Had to get a few things done this week, like my TB test, and CPR renewal. I did the CPR yesterday at the Woodlands Fire Dept. That was fun getting there...NOT! A bad wreck on Hwy. 105 (the road I take from Hwy. 59 to get to Conroe) had traffic stopped for over half an hour and, of course, the delay and traffic made me late. I was concerned about the amount of traffic in the opposite direction on the two-laned Hwy. 105. There was traffic bumper-to-bumper all the way from the Hwy. 59 intersection for about 15 miles to the little town called Cut-and-Shoot, almost all the way to Conroe. I have never seen anything like it and was grateful I was headed into Houston area than away from it ot I would be in the same predicament. I was thinking that if this is what traffic is like there is no way I could ever make it on time to my shift or home at a decent hour. Josh speculated that this was just traffic returning to Beaumont, after the threat of Hurricane Gustav had passed. Well, I got stuck in traffic at the same place returning home last night around 10:30. I know rush hour doesn't last that long!! So it probably was the returning evacuees. However, I am still going to find alternative routes, even if they are out-of-the-way back roads.